Escalating interest in Native Softbills?

[Jayburd]

Yeah I have liked crimsons for a while..
some time ago I enquired on here about orange chats and no one seemed to know WHY they were harder than crimsons though they were all in agreement on that fact,

[E Orix]

The status of Orange Chats is far different to Crimson Chats.
The Crimson Chat is far more common in collections and very easy to breed.
In my humble opinion the best Aussie Softbill to put in your collection.

[Jayburd]

Thanks Orix,
but apart from the rarity is there any difference? ease of breeding? need for more livefood?

[desertbirds]

Seems to be true regarding Orange Vs Crimson Chats.Crimsons are more commonly bred by quite a few breeders than the Orange and its the same at the desert park.Crimsons seem to be way more common in the bush too.I`m yet to spot an Orange Chat but saw literally hundreds of Crimsons this year and they are still around in good numbers.The Orange Chat is more commonly seen around the edges of salt lakes and clay pans.The Crimson also seems to be highly nomadic compared with the Orange.Perhaps the Crimson is less fussy with partner choice .I didnt breed mine and unforunately sold them just as they were starting to build and show interest.In a well planted aviary they are a joy to watch,they`re into everything nailing any small insects they find.My biggest problem was trying to house too many birds and the gouldians tried to rob nesting material from them and take over the nest. They also become very quiet and show less fear than the finches.

[jusdeb]

Well I reckon the internet has opened up many doors especially to people living in rural areas like me , it gives access to information and breeders. .... that and the ease of acquiring live food .
This isnt the sole reason less popular birds are gaining popularity but it certainly ( I think ) has to have made a difference.

[Pete Sara]

think popularity in softies is thanks to the internet , like Gary says the only real book on the subject is from the late Rosemary Hutton, If you don't know somebody in the game its hard to get info , most breeders are in a secret squirrels club no matter what state you are in , there is one such society over here but I am not going to mention them but most people would know who they are .. BUNCH of idiots, but I did get my start through there forum from people like me who had birds and I got my start with the splendids , THANKS MUZ , I still pester garymc a lot on the chats as thats the only way of learning for the lack of info about , its far easier to keep them , breeding them now thats another matter, most of my starts were with older birds but we all have to start somewhere, if it wasn't for people like Gary Mc crea and Jon Middleton softies over here would still only be available to the secret squirrels amongst us.. well thats my rant for todaY....PETE

[E Orix]

Poitta
Without state bashing I found those in a softbill group(WA)as very inhouse,non coopetative and even on occasion down right rude.
That is the reason I didn't continue with regard to their forum.
They couldn't seem to understand that the more people you help and get involved the better it is for all
And I also agree that the two people you mentioned have done alot for the Softbill keepers.

[garymc]

Some interesting comments

Have to agree that the crimson chats are a excellent aviary bird and very suited to being a beginners softbill. Not difficult to keep and just a little harder to breed. With an ever increasing number of breeders of these birds, there is a lot more information
out there in the general avicultural community than some some of the other available species.

Can't be any closer to the truth that the more people that are encouraged the better is for all. Naturally though these budding softbill enthusiasts need to have the knowledge and resources.

Debs comment on the internet and the greater availability of commercially grown livefood, certainly is 100% correct. If livefood is readily available, then softbills can be easier than finches to keep alive (have had this feedback) and with a little experience not too much harder to breed.

Jayburd, crimsons are very different in personality than both the oranges and the white fronteds. I often refer to the crimsons as being like chooks - they will peck at anything and soon lose their fear to a point where they can be hand fed - they really are a good aviary bird. Oranges and white-fronteds on the other hand seem more stand-offish and never seem as settled as crimson in smaller aviaries. The orange and whites generally seem to do much better in larger aviaries. Also with crimsons being more readily and cheaply available it makes it easier to form compatible pairs, swapping partners with other aviculturists, running a number together until pairs naturaly bond etc. Once good pairs are extablished they can be very prolific.

[Jayburd]

Thanks Gary

[VR1Ton]

I agree with all of the above, particullarly space being of major importance, as well as competition for food. A good eg is my Scarlet Honeyeaters. I have 4prs, 2 pr have their own aviaries, the other 2 pr are in mixed collections. Both single pairs have reared 2 nests each, of the mixed prs, 1 have reared 1 chick, with no attempt to re-nest, & the other hasn't even contemplated going down. I put this down to food, all of them recieve the same, but with no competition for food, the single pairs can keep up with the demands of rearing young.

The other factor not mentioned above is price, with the average finch between about $60 & $200 a pr, & most softbills 3 times that, or more, & the cost of the extra livefood added into the equation, a lot of average birdos can't afford them. Having said that, I wouldn't part with for love normine money.

As for the societies, I agree with E Orix & Poitta, the WA group is a secret squirrel society, the Sydney based one, however, is excellent, & most members give freely any advise needed. On the whole most softbill breeders are a good bunch, but there is still a fair bit of factioning amoungst a few of them, & this will only further ailienate any newcomers to one of the most challenging, but rewarding aspects of aviculture.